Monday, April 30, 2012

TEAM KELLY is buzzin' everywhere...

What's up TEAM KELLY?  Love all these pics!  Keep'em coming!









Justin Bieber's hair is so yesterday.  TEAM KELLY is buzzin' everywhere.  
Check out these beautiful heads...of no hair!









Friday, she said goodbye to her crazy locks that have held on longer than expected.  It was tough, but she powered through it with amazing bravery, strength and grace.  She is absolutely beautiful of course.  And her wigs (yes that is plural... cuz a girl's gotta have options) are all so beautiful on her.  This part of going through chemo, has been such an emotional experience.  The anxiety building up to Friday has been exhausting.  She is so grateful to have gotten through that obstacle.  Grateful her hair held on as long as it did.  Grateful for wigs that look so real and lots of cute accessories :)  And she is SO grateful for all the support from her friends and family.  Here are some pics of her sporting some of her new looks :)








so cute right? 

These are the precious middle school girls who 
"didn't want to shave our heads, so we made this scrapbook for you instead :) " 



Ok so hang with me while I just randomly tell you about a few things that touched her heart and she wanted to share...  


a close friend left her this letter when she brought dinner~
"when I was 11, my mom was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease (cancer of the lymphatic system) and had a huge tumor in her chest cavity.  She was 36 years old and had an 11 and 9 year old.  Back in 1982, the prognosis was poor and the doctor told her to get her affairs in order.  My mother, however, is a red headed fighter and she decided that she would do it all to stay with us.  She was also a new Christian baptized only a year earlier and this was an extreme text of her faith.  Our church came to pray over her and brought us meals.  People were praying for her near and far.  I was so humbled and amazed, even as a child, how people I barely even knew came to support us.  After a year of prayers and treatments, my mom was completely cancer free.  I know some say it was the medicine, but we all felt that it was a true miracle.  No one else in her support group that had the disease survived.  As an 11 year old, I knew that God had saved my mommy and I became a believer.  I don't know what God has in store for you, but know that I have TRUE FAITH IN MIRACLES!  As my family was the recipient of God's great mercy, I pray with all my heart that your kids will have the same story to tell."

a message she got on facebook~
nothing I can say or do, but prayer is all I know.
Into His hands I commit your spirit:)
Hang in there.
Thinking of u.
I know what u are going thru.
U are inspiring me.
U are teaching me, and now I get to pray with my children daily which is something I've never done.
Praise Him.

a friend of ben's told his mom this~
"You know how most of the time, you just have to know that God loves you? Miss kelly is so lucky.  God shows her how much He loves her every day by seeing TEAM KELLY shirts.  that's pretty awesome.

will's teacher sent her this~
"Just wanted to share with you all the BUZZ that is going on around will.  I know you are already aware of the masses wanting to lift you up in prayer and support you jason, will, ben, sam and ella.  But to see it first hand at school is so amazing.  I'm moved each and everyday that will comes in with a genuine smile across his face.  He is such a warrior for you even when you aren't' here in his classes to see it.  His friends and teachers are pulling for you and praying for you and following your journey. 

These blessings are only just a few acts of kindness from TEAM KELLY.  This past week of feeling good and back to normal was full of blessings...she is using them all to gear up for a big fight this week.  She is already ahead in the fight as she goes into tomorrow...her visit with Dr. Savin was very encouraging today...her tumor indicator has dropped from it's highest at 8800 to just over 400!! Praise God!

Please pray this:
1.  Thank Him for shrinking numbers which means shrinking tumors!
1.  Thank Him for cute wigs and for the anxiety over her hair that has been lifted.
2.  Thank Him for a week full of energy and blessings at home and on the ball fields and time spent with friends and family.
3.  Thank Him for the kids that are witnessing His work in kelly's life.
4.  Pray for nourishment and hydration...it's hard for her to finish a liter of water each day.  
5.  Pray for the will to fight.  Give her these blessings for ammunition tomorrow.

WEAR YOUR TEAM KELLY SHIRT TOMORROW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT ON CHEMO DAY!  If you don't have one yet...don't panic.  It's on the way.  We'll let you know when they come in :)




Monday, April 23, 2012

kelly's got her hope back...



Hi TEAM KELLY :) 
Here are some pics we got over the weekend.  She had so many happy tears 
at her TEAM supporting her this weekend.  Love each and everyone of you!
























You'll be happy to know your prayers are being heard...kelly is feeling so much better.  She even went to church for the first time in 2 months!  Her steadfast and faithful friends helped get her there.  This is an email sent to the pastors of their church...


Paul and Jim,


You don't know me, but my husband Allen and I, along with our 3 boys, have been attending Preston Trails Community Church since July.  We are a part of a small community within the church of 6 families who serve along side each other on the Frisco Young Life Committee.  I wanted to let you know how the Lord used you this morning to encourage us.


One of our sweet friends, Kelly Stewart, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver.  (She and her husband, Jason, are a part of our community mentioned above.)  Since her chemo treatments began 8 weeks ago, Kelly has not had the energy to attend church.  This morning, after a very discouraging week from Tuesday's treatment, she awoke early with renewed strength and hope.  She texted myself and our other best friend, Elizabeth Bobo, with words of the Lord's encouragement, and the 3 of us began feverishly texting each other with praises of joy and hope for His new mercies this morning.  You see, ever since her diagnoses we have claimed the promise that He shows us new mercies each morning, taking one day at a time and being thankful for that day and His mercies.  


Today we picked Kelly up for church.  (Our husbands were all out of town.)  Elizabeth and I surprised her by wearing hats (she was embarrassed to have to wear a hat due to her hair)  and by spreading the word to wear our "Got hope? Team Kelly" shirts to show our support.


Jim, as you welcomed the congregation, the first words out of your mouth were about Jesus' new mercies every morning.  We immediately began to cry.  We were overwhelmed by that continued message from the Lord.  And I wanted to pass along His encouragement, knowing that His message was delivered through you in such a profound and encouraging way.  Thank you.  It is a small miracle the 3 of us will never forget.  New mercies!


Looking forward to tonight's gala!


Camey Dill

Paul's reply:

I saw Kelly this morning standing in the atrium wearing a hat, but I didn't notice others wearing a hat. It I was going the other direction, so I didn't get a chance to say hello to her. I'm so thankful that you women have solidarity with her in both her sufferings and her joys. That experience will ultimately change all of your lives.

I'm also thankful that God is using your families to help students find and follow Jesus Christ through young life. what a wonderful ministry!And how "thoughtful" of God to remind Jim of Lamentations 3:23 so he could say it today, especially for you three. :-)Paul


Jim's reply:

Camey,

I echo Paul's thoughts and am so glad that Kelly has so many who representthe "God of all comfort" in her life.  It was no accident that I used theLamentations passage in my intro yesterday morning . . . in preparation forthe service I prayed and asked God to direct me to the thoughts he wanted meto share . . . I sensed that the promise of new mercies needed to be liftedup again.  Now I know the reason:)


Jim 


her TEAM Sunday morning...



camey and elizabeth sporting some 
peace, love and team kelly bandanas :)



kelly has another favorite word...HOPE.  She tossed and turned in the early morning hours on Sunday...the word hope rattling around her brain.  What does that really mean?  So she googled it, like we do everything now days.  Desired expectations.  The opposite of despair.  An emotional state that promotes the belief of a positive outcome related to the events and circumstances in one's life.  kelly's desire is a miracle.  Hope and miracles kinda fit together like puzzle pieces.  But you can't have hope and miracles without Faith.  With the help of TEAM KELLY, she has got her HOPE back.  She's faithfully praying and believing in Jesus to heal her and help all of you through this journey she is taking.  







Friday, April 20, 2012

just enough peace for today.

This chemo round has been tough, but overall she has made it through the hardest part and is now feeling pretty good...not up to par, but hopeful the shot will give her the boost of energy she craves for the weekend.  The pics you have sent have warmed her heart...such happy and tearful moments in reading all the texts and emails.

TEAM KELLY around the world...or at least around america :)





















we heart TEAM KELLY so much.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  -Hebrews 4:16

--Peace is My continual gift to you.  It flows abundantly from My throne of grace.  When Moses and the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they were given manna to eat.  They could not store it for the future.  This day-by-day gathering helped them remember that they needed Me...every day.  My Peace works in much the same way.  When you come to Me in prayer with a thankful heart, I give you enough Peace for today. I will not give you enough for tomorrow...only today.  If I gave you enough Peace to last a lifetime, you might fall into the trap of thinking you don't need Me.  I designed you to need Me every minute.  So come to Me every day with a thankful heart, knowing that I will give you just enough Peace for today. --from our devotion Wednesday.

kelly encouraged me to read this entry last night on karen's birthday...she is a very close friend who lost her battle with breast cancer only 4 months ago. Our hearts ache every day for our sweet friend and her family.  When I found out about kelly's diagnosis just 8 weeks after karen's passing, I felt like I couldn't breathe.  I was really angry. hurt. confused...I would be lying if I said I don't still feel all those emotions.  I don't understand, nor will I ever, but I do know I have to be thankful for the trials He has placed in our lives.  Karen thanked Him for every minute of every day, so we too will thank Him for giving us just enough strength to make it through today.  We don't know what the future holds, and that is ok...we just know He will give us the Peace we need for today and the miracle we need for tomorrow, as our faith with gratitude grows every day.

Please pray this:

1. Thank Him for the 62,305 page views...so many people He is reaching through kelly
2. Thank Him for friends who were there Tuesday night when jason couldn't be
3. Thank Him for nurse tammy who calls and texts to check on her when she is not even on call
4. Pray she gains strength and endurance as she is so drained from treatment
5. Pray for kelly and her family to feel His Peace each day
6. Pray for jason, will, ben, sam and ella...always



Your shirts are here (the 2nd order) and we have mailed many. and emailed more. and hand delivered lots.  If you haven't received an email, or text, or Facebook message, or good old fashioned phone call, please let me know :) carol.davis2@verizon.net

We are on a 3rd round of orders so if you still want a shirt, please let me know by Sunday night and I'll add you to the list.  We have about 100 so far on the third order! That makes TEAM KELLY close to 1000 members!!   

Also, I have installed the paypal donate button at the top right of the blog!  So you no longer have to mail me a check... in an envelope...with a stamp.  You can just click and pay for your t-shirt or donate to the stewart family.  I'm a slow learner...but definitely the most techy of the 3 sisters :)